Vermont Law School

Vermont Law School is a private law school that offers Juris Doctor and Master of Laws degrees and a Doctor of Juridical Science. The school's faculty includes several nationally and internationally known scholars, including Robert A. Gorman, William H. Rehnquist, and Cass R. Sunstein. The school has been ranked as one of the top law schools in the United States by several publications, including U.S. News & World Report and The New York Times. Vermont Law School offers many unique programs, such as its Environmental Law Center and International & Comparative Law Program.

History

Vermont Law School (VLS) is a prestigious institution of higher education that opened its doors in 1972. Located in South Royalton, Vermont, the law school welcomed its first class of students in the summer of 1973 with 113 learners. The success of the newly-founded school was fully realized in 1975 when it received provisional American Bar Association (ABA) approval. In 1978, VLS was granted full ABA accreditation, and the following year it became a member of the Association of American Law Schools.

As part of its commitment to providing students with an excellent legal education, VLS established its Environmental Law Center in 1978 with eight master’s degree students. Today, it is the most comprehensive environmental law and policy curriculum in the nation, earning consistent recognition from U.S. News & World Report for its Master of Environmental Law and Policy (MELP) and Master of Laws in Environmental Law (LLM) programs.

Vermont Law School is dedicated to producing ethical, competent, and successful attorneys equipped to address the legal issues of the 21st century. With its innovative curricula, experienced faculty, and commitment to providing a quality legal education for all students regardless of background or circumstances, VLS is an esteemed institution of higher learning.

By attending Vermont Law School, you can rest assured that you’re receiving a well-rounded and comprehensive education that will prepare you for success in the legal field. You’ll also join a diverse community of students, professors, and alumni dedicated to creating positive change in their respective fields and worldwide. With its commitment to excellence, Vermont Law School is poised to become one of the most influential law schools for generations to come.

Admissions

If you’re contemplating law or graduate studies and feel drawn to purpose-driven programs, Vermont Law and Graduate School in South Royalton, Vermont offers a distinctive path. Known especially for its focus on environmental law, social justice, and policy reform, the school presents an admissions process that looks beyond numbers and celebrates meaningful engagement.

For 2025 applicants, you’ll need a completed bachelor’s degree before enrollment, and JD or LL.M candidates apply through the Law School Admission Council. Early-decision deadlines typically fall in mid-November, and regular-decision deadlines are usually in mid-April, though applications may still be reviewed on a space-available basis afterward. If you’re motivated by areas like animal law, food and agriculture policy, energy regulation, or restorative justice, make sure your application reflects that commitment, since the school values demonstrated advocacy and alignment with its mission.

Craft a personal statement that shows what drives you. Consider attending an admissions event or virtual tour to get a sense of the community, because Vermont Law and Graduate School puts strong emphasis on genuine fit. Submitting early can also help with scholarship consideration. And if you’re interested in a dual degree or online hybrid option, explain clearly why the format and the school’s mission resonate with your goals.

Applying to Vermont Law and Graduate School means stepping into a program that blends legal training with advocacy and purpose. If you’re ready to align your goals with meaningful work, plan your application thoughtfully and give yourself time to present your strongest story.

Center your application on both your academic readiness and your authentic connection to the school’s mission focused on environmental, social justice, and policy-driven work.

Statistics

Admissions Stats
Class of:	2023-2024	2024-2025
25th - 50th - 75th percentile LSAT	148-151-156	147-151-156
25th - 50th - 75th percentile GPA	2.80-3.30-3.62	2.89-3.18-3.53
Acceptance rate	60.9%	64.7%
Applications received	1036	1177
Acceptances	665	761
Matriculants	201	235

For the 2024 to 2025 admissions cycle, Vermont Law and Graduate School saw measurable growth in interest and enrollment. The LSAT range for the incoming class shifted slightly to 147 to 156 for the 25th to 75th percentiles, and the corresponding GPA range rose to 2.89 to 3.53, reflecting a modest upward trend in academic profiles. Applications increased to 1,177 for the cycle, resulting in 761 acceptances and an acceptance rate of 64.7 percent. Of those admitted, 235 students chose to enroll, marking an increase in matriculants compared with the previous year. These numbers highlight a year of stronger demand and a slightly more competitive applicant pool.

Application Requirements

When applying to Vermont Law School, applicants should ensure that all the necessary materials are provided to be considered for admission. This includes completing an application form, submitting a $60.00 (USD) fee, providing a resume or CV detailing their professional and academic accomplishments, writing essays demonstrating their aptitude for law school, and supplying an LSAC Credential Assembly Service (CAS) Report. This report should include an applicant's current LSAT score, transcripts from all schools attended, and two letters of recommendation. Additionally, character and fitness information must be provided to the school for applicants to be considered.

Lastly, applicants whose native language is not English and who have not lived or studied in an English-speaking country for at least two years must submit their TOEFL, PTE, or IELTS scores to the school. This demonstrates that they have the necessary language skills to understand the coursework and be successful in law school fully.

By ensuring all of these materials are supplied, applicants can be confident that they have provided Vermont Law School with the necessary resources to assess their application correctly.

Application Fee

At Vermont Law School, applicants are required to pay an application fee amounting to sixty United States Dollars. This fee allows students to submit their applications and be considered for admission into the prestigious law school. It must be noted that the same fee applies to all applicants regardless of their nationality or current academic standing.

Lsat Scores And Academic Records

Vermont Law School puts a lot of emphasis on the LSAT scores and academic records of its JD applicants. To be admitted to the school, all prospective students must have obtained a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution before they start their studies at VLS. Moreover, their LSAT scores must be recent, as they are only valid for five years.

The undergraduate record of applicants is taken into consideration in several ways. The school looks at the quality of the college, the nature and difficulty of the program taken in it, how the applicant performed compared to other students from the same university, any improvement or decline in grades over time, and how long has passed since they received their degree. Furthermore, applicants with a higher education diploma and their bachelor's degree will be perceived favorably if their performance surpasses the minimum standards of the graduate program.

Therefore, prospective students should ensure that they are aware of these criteria and have prepared accordingly before applying to Vermont Law School. This way, they can increase their chances of admission and have a successful experience at the school.

Pre-Legal Education

The Vermont Law School provides aspiring lawyers with the unique opportunity to receive a comprehensive pre-legal education focused on developing precision, fluency, and economy in speaking and writing. A wide range of educational backgrounds is welcomed; applicants are not required to have studied political science, economics, or related fields. However, all applicants must hold a Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution.

Vermont Law School's curriculum is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in their chosen legal field. Through analytical thinking and critical evaluation courses, students will develop their capacity for complex problem-solving and be prepared for a successful law career. Their faculty also emphasize experiential learning and professional skills, providing students with the necessary tools to succeed in their field.

At Vermont Law School, we believe that legal education should be a comprehensive experience beyond what can be acquired from traditional college programs. Their faculty strive to provide an exceptional educational experience tailored to each student's needs and interests, allowing them to stand out among their peers in their chosen field. By providing a pre-legal education focused on the development of precision, fluency, and economy in speaking and writing, Vermont Law School provides aspiring lawyers with the opportunity to acquire legal knowledge and cultivate an inquiring, disciplined, and cultivated mind. Our unique approach to legal education prepares our graduates to practice law confidently and successfully.

Recommendations

Vermont Law School requests two letters of recommendation to gain an understanding of an applicant's academic potential and personal qualities. The school prefers that at least one letter is from a college or graduate school professor but understands that this isn't possible if the student has been out of college for some time. In these cases, the school suggests asking someone who knows the student's work in their profession or community to write a letter on their behalf.

The letter of recommendation must speak to the applicant's intellectual ability, character, determination, professional and community achievements, and potential for contributions to the legal community and the broader community. It is also essential that the letter writer provide an assessment of how the applicant compares to other law school students they have known.

Letters of recommendation are encouraged to be sent to the Law School Admission Council to be included in the applicant's CAS report. However, if a recommender prefers, they can email it directly to the Office of Admissions. Vermont Law School appreciates thoughtful, substantive letters of recommendation and looks forward to receiving them as part of the application process.

​Overall, Vermont Law School wants to see evidence that an applicant is qualified and can handle the rigors of legal education. Procuring two well-written and considered letters of recommendation can provide invaluable insight into an applicant's character and abilities. With these letters, the school can better assess if an applicant will become a successful law student and lawyer.

Character And Fitness, Qualifications For Bar Admissions

To become an attorney, one must meet specific character and fitness requirements set by various jurisdictions across the United States. It is highly recommended that those seeking to pursue a legal practice consider these regulations beforehand. This means researching the relevant agencies through the National Conference of Bar Examiners and gaining insight into what is needed for admission. Vermont Law School encourages its students to do the same.

It is important to note that being accepted into law school does not guarantee certification by bar examiners. Those with doubts or questions about their eligibility should contact the Board of Bar Examiners in the jurisdiction they intend to practice and get further clarification. With proper research and guidance, anyone can go on to pursue a successful and fulfilling career in the legal profession.

Cost of Attendance

Vermont Law and Graduate School frames its cost of attendance around a practical, student-conscious budget designed to help you manage expenses without unnecessary strain. The school encourages a mindful approach to spending so you can focus on your studies while keeping loan debt as low as possible. The 2025 thrifty budget outlines an estimate of what students typically spend when aiming to live affordably during the academic year.

A student following the thrifty approach can expect monthly living expenses around 1,750 dollars, which totals approximately 17,330 dollars for a standard nine-month academic cycle or 22,500 dollars for a full twelve months. These expenses include essentials like rent, transportation, food, utilities, and personal items, along with books and supplies for the year. Students who need to borrow for living costs can access up to 28,000 dollars annually, though the average amount borrowed remains closer to 20,700 dollars per year. The intention behind this structure is to help you balance comfort with financial awareness while progressing through your program.

2025 Cost of Attendance – Thrifty Budget

Expense Category	Monthly	Annual (9 months)	Annual (12 months)
Rent	$700	$6,300	$8,400
Transportation	$300	$2,700	$3,600
Books/Supplies	–	$1,500	$1,500
Food	$250	$2,250	$3,000
Utilities	$300	$2,780	$3,600
Other/Personal	$200	$1,800	$2,400
Health Insurance	–	–	–
Total Living Expenses	$1,750	$17,330	$22,500

Total Living Expenses: A student following the thrifty model can expect to spend around 1,750 dollars per month. Over a nine-month academic year, this totals roughly 17,330 dollars. Students completing a full twelve-month residency land closer to 22,500 dollars. While students are eligible to borrow up to 28,000 dollars per year for living expenses, the school notes most borrow closer to 20,700 dollars, reflecting conscious debt-minimization habits.

Fianancial Aid

For 2025, Vermont Law and Graduate School continues its commitment to making legal and graduate education accessible through a wide range of financial aid options. The institution works intentionally to keep program costs reasonable while offering pathways that help you fund your education without unnecessary hardship. The school emphasizes fairness and equal opportunity for all students, with financial aid availability that isn’t influenced by personal characteristics such as race, gender, sexual orientation, or national origin.

Students can pursue support from federal loans and grants, scholarships, employer tuition reimbursement, private loan programs, or the school’s internal payment plans. The Financial Aid Office remains a hands-on resource, partnering with students to break down available aid options and guide them toward choices that align with both academic plans and long-term financial stability. Their focus is on understanding each student’s unique financial picture and helping them find the most sustainable path to complete their degree.

Academics

First-year students at Vermont take all the typical first-year courses - Contracts, CivPro I & II, ConLaw I & II, Torts, Property, Criminal Law, Legal Writing I & II, and Legal Research and Writing - with no electives. After the first year, the remaining required courses are determined by a student's chosen degree path, with the remainder of his/her schedule filled with various classes and clinics. For "students with busy schedules," Vermont offers an extended J.D., to be completed in four years instead of three.

One particular area of study in Vermont deserves mention: environmental law. Vermont's program is currently ranked number one by U.S. News and World Report; in the last 18 years, Vermont was never ranked lower than second, as has been ranked first 12 times. The school also offers the Masters in Environmental Law and Policy degree, an innovative course of study that can be earned in combination with the J.D, or can stand alone. Though this is the only dual program with both degrees earned from Vermont, several other dual degrees - many focusing on different aspects of environmental law - are offered with partner schools, both domestic and foreign, including Yale, Cambridge, and Dartmouth. Other than the Vermont Law Review, the school's only other journal is (unsurprisingly) the Vermont Journal of Environmental Law.

Environmental Advocacy Clinic

The Environmental Advocacy Clinic at Vermont Law School stands as a shining example of an in-house legal clinic that works to provide students with the chance to hone their skills and become excellent attorneys. The clinic operates in the spirit of public interest law, partnering with the National Wildlife Federation to provide legal counsel and advocacy for individuals and organizations in need. The clinic is a collaborative effort between students, faculty members, and staff attorneys that helps everyone involved to gain the skills and knowledge necessary to be successful environmental advocates.

Environmental Justice Clinic

The Environmental Justice Clinic at Vermont Law School is a unique program that provides its students with the opportunity to engage in real-life cases related to environmental justice. This interdisciplinary approach combines civil rights and environmental protection to promote sustainability, equity, and justice for all communities. The EJ Clinic staff are highly trained, offering expertise in legal strategies such as environmental litigation and policy research.

Energy Clinic

The Energy Clinic at Vermont Law School offers a unique experience for JD, LLM, and MERL students to expand their knowledge of energy law and policy while also assisting clients who aim to have access to dependable, clean, and affordable energy sources. This invaluable program grants student the opportunity to develop skills in an increasingly important area in the modern world.

Farmed Animal Advocacy Clinic

The Farmed Animal Advocacy Clinic (FAAC) at Vermont Law School provides an opportunity for Masters, JD, and LLM students to develop their legal advocacy skills to protect the rights and welfare of farmed animals. The clinic allows students to get involved in real-world litigation and regulatory efforts to improve these animals' lives. Students can represent real clients in court or other legal settings and gain invaluable experience.

Food And Agriculture Clinic

The Food and Agriculture Clinic at Vermont Law School offers students engaging real-world experiences in which they work on practical projects that directly impact the public. Working with local, regional, national, and international partners, this clinic focuses on tackling issues related to food justice, public health, economic stability, food availability, and animal rights.

Jd Externships

Vermont Law School (VLGS) provides its students with the opportunity to gain real-world experience and knowledge through its externship program. This program allows second and third-year law students to spend an entire semester undertaking an off-campus apprenticeship to learn from practice by working directly with legal professionals such as judges and attorneys.

Legislative Clinic

The Vermont Law School Legislative Clinic gives students enrolled in the JD and LLM programs a unique chance to assist the Vermont General Assembly. As student clinicians of the Office of Legislative Counsel, participants have the opportunity to hone their legislative lawyering skills and gain valuable experience.

Studying at the clinic enables students to help with bill draft requests from the legislators, testify in committee hearings, observe the legislative process and research current legal and policy issues. With this clinic, students gain valuable insight into the workings of government and become more knowledgeable in their areas of expertise.

Master's Externships

Externships are essential to Vermont Law School's master's, LLM, and joint degree programs. With the guidance of experienced mentors, students have the opportunity to gain real-world experience by participating in a variety of activities related to environmental law, science, and policy. These activities include counseling clients on legal matters; drafting regulations and legislation; preparing legal memoranda; drafting or commenting on environmental or land use plans; and fieldwork related to wetlands, energy efficiency, local food, and other environmental issues.

South Royalton Legal Clinic (SRLC)

At Vermont Law School, the South Royalton Legal Clinic (SRLC) is a valuable resource dedicated to helping Vermonters who need assistance with various legal matters but cannot afford counsel. The clinic offers assistance in bankruptcy, children’s rights, disability, domestic violence, family law, housing, immigration, and more.

Quality of Life

Vermont Law School is situated in the small town of South Royalton, with a population of just over two-and-a-half thousand people. It's easy to feel isolated here, as there are few amenities or establishments such as shopping malls, movie theatres, or even supermarkets. This can lead to boredom for those who crave city life. Still, thankfully, Hanover (home to Dartmouth University) is a thirty-minute drive away and offers more entertainment options. Of course, the cities of Boston and Montreal are only three hours away by car if you can't face another day in South Royalton.

The scenery here is beautiful, too, with the best hiking locations in America within reach. Although life at the school is quite relaxed and laid-back, it should be noted that Vermont Law School is 80% white, with no other ethnic group making up even 3% of the student body. Unfortunately, diversity isn't as prevalent here as in larger cities or universities. Nevertheless, Vermont Law School is still a great place to study and an excellent learning environment. With its stunning scenery and relaxed atmosphere, this little town has plenty to offer. You just have to know where to look!

Employment Prospects and Bar Passage

When you’re comparing law schools, two outcomes shape your long-term path more than almost anything else: how many graduates become licensed attorneys and how effectively the school supports job placement. For Vermont Law and Graduate School, the 2025 picture shows both strengths and areas you’ll want to weigh carefully.

Bar Passage

Recent numbers show that first-time bar takers from the school pass at a rate of about 64.9 percent, with roughly 87 out of 134 graduates succeeding on their first attempt. When you look at “ultimate” bar passage, which measures how many pass within two years of graduation, the rate increases to approximately 76.3 percent. Most schools see higher averages, so these numbers matter if you’re hoping to minimize the financial and emotional weight of multiple attempts. What’s encouraging is that the school is transparent about its outcomes and continues to refine the support available to students preparing for the bar exam. Still, the data suggests you’ll want to enter your bar-prep period with a strong plan, clear study structure, and possibly supplemental resources.

Employment Outcomes

Employment results also present a mixed but informative picture. Out of a recent class of 165 graduates, around 135 found employment, giving the school an overall employment rate of roughly 81.8 percent. Among those, about 54.6 percent secured full-time, bar-required positions, while roughly 23 percent entered jobs classified as “J.D. advantage,” meaning the legal training provides value even though bar admission isn’t required. For you, the key insight is this: while a solid portion of graduates secure meaningful work, fewer than half of the total class ends up in traditional attorney roles right away. If your goal is to work directly as a licensed lawyer in fields such as government, litigation, or public interest practice, you’ll want to explore how the school’s career services team supports networking, externships, and job placement in your intended focus area.

Putting It Into Perspective for You As you consider 2025 admission, it helps to clarify your priorities:

• Are you primarily aiming for a bar-required legal career, or are you open to environmental policy, advocacy, or administrative roles where a J.D. is an asset rather than a license?
• How important is passing the bar on the first attempt, and what level of support are you looking for in a bar-prep program?
• Which types of jobs feel meaningful to you, and how well do the school’s employment patterns match that vision?
• How much weight do you place on the school’s strong mission in environmental law, social justice, and public policy?

Thinking through these questions helps you evaluate how the outcomes align with your personal goals.

Vermont Law and Graduate School offers steady long-term outcomes, especially for students who eventually pursue bar licensure or mission-aligned work. However, the first-time bar passage rate and the percentage of graduates landing bar-required jobs are lower than some competitors. If your dream is to practice law immediately after graduation, you’ll want to plan for proactive bar preparation and early engagement with career services.

Synopsis

For a student interested in environmental law and who doesn't mind living in insular South Royalton, Vermont can certainly be a good start to a legal career. However, the tuition is extremely steep, and employment statistics suggest that most graduates struggle with debt for many years. Since Vermont is, in fact, a private school with no distinction between in- and out-of-state tuition, it is difficult to fully recommend the school unless an admitted student is awarded a hefty scholarship to offset the expense.

Contact Information

Vermont Law and Graduate School
Admissions Office
164 Chelsea Street
South Royalton, VT 05068-0096

Toll Free: 888-277-5985
Phone: 802-831-1239
Fax: 802-831-1174

Email: admiss@vermontlaw.edu
https://www.vermontlaw.edu/admissions/apply-now/jd-programs

Summary

Established	1972
Location	South Royalton, VT
Dean	Beth McCormack
2025 US News Ranking	163rd
LSAT Median Score	151
GPA Median Score	3.18
Bar Passage Rate	63.5% (2025)
Employment Rate	58.9% (2025)
Cost	"$52,775 full-time, $47,330 part-time"
Average Debt	$126,006
Application Deadline	15-April-2025

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Reference

https://www.vermontlaw.edu/
Vermont Law School
Rank #163
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